Overnight Orange Algae?

[rememberme]

I carried out a 50% water change today on my 3 month old tank due to having high amounts of nitrates for a few weeks (not helped by my LFS supplying dodgy RO water!!) and now - 7 hours later, the live rock, which used to be pretty purple, has LOADS of orange patches that look as if it is glowing kinda?!

This was on a bit of rock that a coral I bought was attatched to... and now it has appeared everywhere in a couple of hours.

What is it? Another form of the purple algae? I don't like its looks much =/

Thanks!

[Zack]

Hello
:welcome: to coral forum!!!

Is the algae easy to peal off like stringy? Do you have any pictures? Is this only on your live rock not the sand bed? What kind of lights are you using any filtration?
Sorry for all the questions just need to get a better idea.

[rememberme]

38 UK gallon tank with 3 flo tubes. No fish. Harli Shrimp, 3 tiny crabs and a few things that look like slugs?! Musta been in live rock.

Being as its midnight here, the house is pretty dark :) but here is a picture of the stuff with just a blue 'marineglo' tube on. It doesn't seem as bright as it is when you see it with your eye...

http://www.sleeth.org/coralforum.htm

then with my hall light on (no tank lights).
Thanks for the help![/url]

[Zack]

Hey
That is pritty hard to see, is it stringy like can peel it off with ease or not?

[rememberme]

No... its as if the purple algae has turned orange. Like a stain on the rock. I am not aware of the algae turning such a bright orange! It's almost as bright as an orange highlighter pen and is not stringy or hairy - wuddnt be able to syphon it off...

It might scrape off, but I have not tried that yet (being so late at night) and I can't see how something could form so quickly that I'd have to scrape at it just to remove it...

:| Maybe one for the X-files?

[Zack]

Hey
Coralline algae is many colcors and can turn many colors such as purple green white orange. What kind of rock is this?

[rememberme]

I believe it is Fiji rock, but that is only what my fish shop says...

[rememberme]

Could it be the rock dying???

[Zack]

Hey
I don't think it is the rock dying. Think it is more coralline algae with a new color.

[rememberme]

Here is a slightly better picture, as the rock is now going white from orange!! Bizzar!

http://www.sleeth.org/liverockdead.htm

Can any of you clever people tell me what the bits are on the second picture?

Thanks!!

[Zack]

Hey
I work for aliverock company and that orange is a very common color. No worrys about it really! If anything it looks good!

Now the white... I believe that is bleaching. Which could be due to low lighting and calicum and alk levels. Do you dose calcium and whats your lighting?